The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-26
INDIANA ANDILLINOIS NEWS
An Affable Parke County Rascal Sent to
the Penitentiary for Burglary.
But Not Before the Lawyers Created Big Sem
sation-Young Woman Satagely Assaulted
"A Mortified Wife Cuts Her Throat.
INDIANA.

tence-A Sensation in Court
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
TERRE HAUrE, Dec 25.-The third trial of
Charley Roberts, the '.Parke county desperado.'
has been more sensational in its proceedings
than either of the former ones and closed vester-
day with fstcuff by two of the lawyers en-
gagged in the case. Roberts had been sort of
Bill Rodfer in his exploits in the Wabash valley.
and was suspected of nearly every bold crime.
He was not a sneak-thief nor an Ignorant, boor-
ish burglar. He was a 'tgen temanly" highway
man who held fast to Admiral Porter's belief
that it was fitting always to say 'if You please"
when depredatng on his fellow-citizeus. More
over he was passably handsome, the glamour
of his maraudIng, daredevil adventures making
him an Adonis in the eyes OF those inclined to-
ward mawkish sentiment. Through Parke.
Fountain, Montgomery. Vermillion, and Vigo
counties ne was held in fear by men, women and
children. The residences of well-to-do farmers
were his vanity and he entered many of them dur
ing the eight ten prior to his arrest about
two years ago, for the burglary of the residence
of Daniel Shirk, in Parke county. for which he
has been standing his third trial Mrs. Shirk
awakened by hearing some one in the room,
and aroused Mr.. Shirk. who was admonished by
the unwelcome visitor to keep quiet which he
did, as he gazed at pistol leveled ct his head.
be alarmed; we respect gray hairs" and keeping
an eye the couple in bed, proceeded with his
plundering After Roberts arrested for this
crime an indictment found against him In
Fountain county for the murder of named
Jack, a crime com united in the pursuit of his
profession a burglar. Roberts believed Parke
county was prejudiced against him and secured
a change of venue to this tVigol county on the
indictment for the burglary of the Shirk resi-
dence. He found guilty, principally on the
evidence of Mrs Shirk, who positively identified
him the man who so sweetly polite to
her in her bedroom. and given seven years. After
serving eighteen months his attorney, John
Courtney, of Charlottesville, by some technical
proceeding, secured an order for new trial
from the Supreme Court The second
trial. a few months ago, with about
the same evidence. resulted in verdict for
seven years, did the first, which meant that
the defendant had secured the new trial he
lost the eighteen months already served for the
crime. plea of error of some sort or
other little matter what, was interposed and
the local court here gave him another trial
the expense bill against Parke county plling up
regardless of the frueality and wisely econom-
ical spirit of the people of that banner county
of Indiana-and it is this trial that has partly
concluded with fight n the courtroom be-
tween the Hon. John E. Lamb aud the no less
honorable but not distinguished Mr.. d. N
TAYLOR The latter is a lawyer and Demo
crat, up to this time being consd cred a Lamb
Democrat" in contradiatinctlon from a Kicker.
whose name was legion enough TO defeat the
honorable gentleman in this DEM district
in his last race for Congress Mr. Taylor had
been in at the beginning OF their case, or cases,
associated with the prosecutor. Mr. Lamb ap-
peared with the Charlottesville Courtney in the
last trial for the first time Like all novices he
Jealous. Hence these blows. The de-
tense would make it appear that Charley Rob-
was in Montezuma the night Of the robbery;
that Isl they would prove the stereo-
typed abb the a criminals last 70 res sbs
credibility of the testimony OF a witness for the
defense in this respect, and an alleged falsltv IN
the report of the testimony in one of the daily
papers. Mr.. Taylor Tin interview in :he hated
rival accusing Mr. Lamb of inspiring the false
report. When court met yesterday the legal
luminaries" were discussing the interview. Both
lawyers were in the group. There was the
usual reporter. the lie was given with the usual
prefix that if any said so and So etc. Tay-
Tor struck out; Lamb struck out; the
fered (dras 'em) and no blood Spilled"
So endeth the first lesson. Later, the reporter
whose report Mr.. Taylor had alleged was IN
spired," sought to vindicate Mr.. Lamb to NJ.
Taylor, but the strong arm of this heretofore
tractable gentleman roughly swayed the young
man aside. Judge Mack. with ali the dignity of
$50 pounds instructed the jury not to be preju-
diced by newspaper reports ami court scenes,
and sent them out to agree on verdict This
was yesterday noon.
The jury brought Roberts a Christmas gift
this morning in the shape of verdict for two
years. for the burglary OF Shirks residence
thus ending his third trial on the charge.
In the meantime the politicians have been
gossiping more than ever. The 'kickers," who
ND to a few weeks ago conceited over
their defeat of Lamb for Congress, in district
cnt ont for him by his order. countersigned by
Mr. Voorhees,. that they could not believe he
would again be candidate, in the Taylor
affair something that gives them hope that in
another kick" now. recognized as necessary
they will have an ally whose political principles
year ago made him prominent, stauch and
effective adherent of the "blue- eyed boy of
destiny" The ..kickers" also think that the
same boy has injured himself in his references to
ce rtain citizens whose names have been used in
this case
Young Woman Savageiy Assaulted.
snecial TO the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.